2011 NFL Draft: Comparing Top Prospects To Established Pros
NFL Draft talk has officially heated up with the college season wrapping up, and there is a lot of talent as always.
Many of your favorite teams are looking to the draft to patch up needs, and with so many players from so many schools, it is hard to see everybody, and often times you don't really know who your team just drafted.
This slide show is composed to compare prospects your team might wind up with, so as a fan you have more of an idea who these prospects compare to.
1. WR A.J. Green, Georgia
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Pro Comparison—Calvin Johnson
A.J. Green is being called the best receiving prospect since Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. Although this was only nearly three years ago, this statement carries much more significance since Johnson was called the best prospect since Randy Moss.
Green is amazingly gifted athletically, and he has great hands too. He will be making some of the seemingly impossible catches that Moss and Johnson have made their living off of, and should help boost any offense.
Projection: Top five pick
2. QB Cam Newton, Auburn
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Pro Comparison—More consistent Vince Young (hopefully a better work ethic too)
Even if you don't care for college football, everyone has seen Newton highlights this season. Newton is very athletic, and has very large amount of potential.
Vince Young, Pat White and Troy Smith have all been failures at this point in their careers, so Newton is a high risk pick, but the upside will land him early in the draft.
Projection: Top 10 pick
3. QB Ryan Mallet, Arkansas
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Pro Comparison—Anywhere from Phillip Rivers to JaMarcus Russell.
If you watched the Sugar Bowl earlier this week, you may not have been impressed with Mallett. However, there is no denying that he got no help from his team. Countless dropped balls, including the first play of the game, which would have been a touchdown, killed Arkansas.
However, Mallett has a huge arm. The question will be how dedicated he is to learning the mechanics. You also would have noticed how poor he played when the pocket was collapsing. The Minnesota Vikings or Tennessee Titans would be ideal for Mallett because they both have a good offensive line. Mallett will have a lot easier time developing better pocket skills if he isn't being rushed every play.
Projection: Top 10 pick.
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4. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
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Hall of Fame Comparison—Emmitt Smith
Mark Ingram won the Heisman in 2009, and led the Crimson Tide to the National Championship.
Ingram doesn't have dazzling speed, and is not a "truck."
However, Ingram has a great feel for the game, meaning that he knows when and which holes to hit, and which move to put on a defender. Ingram should be able to be an immediate player in the league, and should benefit whichever team he goes to.
Projection: First Round pick
5. CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
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Pro Comparison—Charles Woodson
Patrick Peterson has been a playmaker for LSU all season. He does not possess elite coverage skills yet, but he does possess a feel that few players have, and that is the natural ability to make plays.
From reading the quarterback's eyes to making crucial open field tackles, Peterson is one of the best cornerback prospects in recent memory, and would be valuable to any NFL team.
Projection: Top five pick
6. CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
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Pro Comparison—Nnamdi Asomugha
Prince is the shutdown corner in this years class. Ultimately he could go over Peterson, depending on if a team feels they would be better off with a shutdown player than a playmaker.
Prince's stats were far from impressive, but if you look at arguably the best corner in the league, Nnamdi Asomugha, you would think he is a dime corner. However, that is just how a player of these two's skill level can affect a ball game. Opposing quarterbacks threw away from Amukamara starting with his first NFL game.
Projection: Top 10 pick
7. WR Julio Jones, Alabama
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Pro Comparison—Dwayne Bowe/Braylon Edwards
Julio Jones is similar to Bowe and Edwards because he is capable of making all of the big plays, but is prone to dropping some passes.
He should be a good addition to any offense, and with some work, Jones could become a great receiver, similar to Bowe's breakout season.
Projection: First Round pick
8. DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
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Pro Comparison—Justin Smith
Cameron Heyward compares to Smith because unlike most ends at this point in the league, he uses power instead of moves and speed to get to the quarterback. Both can be confused as defensive tackles, and should make for a great player opposite an athletic end.
Heyward had a poor regular season, but had a very impressive Sugar Bowl game against a top offensive tackle prospect, DeMarcus Love. His stock boosted and he may find himself back in the first round.
Projection: Late First Round-Second Round pick
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